Restaurant Count Down Nationwide, Up in Major Metros

Image Caption: Image Credit: NPD Group says restaurant count down 2 percent, but up in cities.Exclusive Brief: 0The total U.S. restaurant count decreased slightly (-0.6 percent) from a year ago to 629,488 units, according to a count of U.S. commercial restaurant locations compiled in the spring and fall each year by The NPD Group, a leading global information company. A 2 percent decline in independent restaurant units was the sole contributor to the total restaurant decline, base